By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ebonyi State Government has held a Special Thanksgiving Service to mark the end of the outgoing year 2022.

The service was held Sunday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

Speaking during the service, Governor David Nweze Umahi appreciated God for all his goodness towards the state from the inception of his administration in 2015.

He said the State Government, in tune with the spirit of appreciation, would be honouring the family of late former Head of State, General Sani Abacha, for his wisdom in creating the state on October 1, 1996.

He added that the State Government would also, in the event slated for Thursday this week, honour former President GoodLuck Jonathan and the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, among others, for their various contributions to justice and development of the state.

“Many national figures will grace the state within the week.

“We would be honouring the family of the late General Sani Abacha, for creating the State which we are enjoying today, his son will be here to receive the award,” Umahi said.

While appreciating the contributions of civil servants in the state, promised them better days ahead, and solicited their support for his governorship candidate, Speaker Francis Nwifuru, and all other APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.

Umahi said: “I plead with you to please give support to Mr. Speaker and all our candidates.

“Speaker is also on the platform of the Divine Mandate, so it is still the same Divine Mandate administration.

“I will still do something for you; there is an exit package for you, and it is not a matter of Party. It is a matter of Ebonyi people.”

The Governor further announced the approval of the sum of N5 million as educational scholarship for a boy with amputated leg and directed the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to supervise the implementation.

The Governor unveiled his plans to decongest the Correctional Centres in the state by January 2023 through a jail delivery function.

He directed the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke, and relevant bodies to begin the processes to ensure a seamless exercise.

On the essence of the special church service, Umahi said it was appreciate God for his grace and blessings on Ebonyi State and its people in the outgoing year.

“The intention is to thank God for his miracles. We have every reason to thank God, and when you thank God, you are preparing your way for more greatness.

“So, be grateful to God; show gratitude always, and allow God to take charge in your affairs,” he stressed.

Governor Umahi reiterated his determination to complete all ongoing projects before bowing out of office. He reinforced his resolve to ensure that flight operations take off at the Ebonyi Airport by January 2023.

The Governor seized the opportunity to appreciate the founding fathers of the state, the elders and the clergy for their various contributions to the development of the state.

In a brief reflection, the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Pastor Eunice Oyeyemi, observed that the Umahi administration succeeded because it was anchored on God from inception. She described the year’s thanksgiving as remarkable.

“Today is very strategic and very important. Today marks seven years and seven months of this administration and the number seven is very symbolic: it is a number of perfection,” Oyeyemi observed.

The event featured praise and worship songs to God, testimonies and Thanksgiving offerings from MDAs, Executive Council members, the Judiciary and the State House of Assembly.

The special State thanksgiving offering was led by the Governor.

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